Who Teaches Reading in Public Elementary Schools?

This Issue Brief describes the qualifications of public school elementary-level reading teachers relative to general elementary teachers, in terms of their educational attainment, their educational preparation and certification in reading, and their educational preparation and certification in elementary education. Data are drawn from the 1999–2000 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). In 1999–2000, 36 percent of public school reading specialists reported an undergraduate or graduate level major in reading, 81 percent reported a state certification in reading, and 32 percent reported both a major and certification in reading. Among general elementary education teachers, 5 percent reported a major in reading, 3 percent reported certification in reading, and 2 percent reported both a major and certification in reading.

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